11.2 Islam Expands In spite of internal conflicts, the Muslims create a huge empire that includes land on three continents.

Vocabulary caliph Highest political and religious leader in a Muslim government Umayyads Dynasty that ruled the Muslim Empire from A.D. 661 to 750 Shi’a Branch of Islam whose members believe the first four caliphs are the rightful successors of Muhammad Sunni Branch of Islam whose members believe Ali and his descendants are the rightful successors of Muhammad

Vocabulary Sufi Muslim who tries to achieve direct contact with God Abbasids Dynasty that ruled much of the Muslim Empire from A.D. 750 to 1258

Muhammad’s Successors Spread Islam A New Leader In 632 Muhammad dies; Muslims elect Abu-Bakr to be the first caliph. Caliph—title for a Muslim leader—means “successor” or “deputy. The first caliph was Muhammad’s father-in-law Abu Bakr.

Muhammad’s Successors Spread Islam “Rightly Guided” Caliphs The first four caliphs are guided by the Qur’an and Muhammad’s actions. Jihad—an armed struggle against unbelievers—is used to expand Islam. Muslims control all of Arabia, and armies conquer Syria and lower Egypt. By 750, the Muslim empire stretches from the Atlantic Ocean to the Indus River.

Muhammad’s Successors Spread Islam Reasons for Success Muslim armies are well disciplined and expertly commanded. Byzantine and Sassanid empires are weak from previous conflict. Persecuted citizens of these empires welcome Islam. People are attracted to Islam’s offer of equality and hope.

Muhammad’s Successors Spread Islam Treatment of Conquered Peoples Muslim invaders tolerate other religions. Christians and Jews receive special consideration as “people of the book.”

From 632 to 750, highly mobile troops mounted on camels were successful in conquering lands in the name of Allah.

Spread Islam also through Preaching and Trading Muslims spread Islam through preaching A group called Sufis spent their time praying and teaching Islam and won many followers. Arab merchants set up trade posts throughout Southeast Asia and taught Islam to people there. Indonesia is home to more Muslims than any other nation because of this. Traders also crossed the Sahara Desert into West Africa to trade in Timbuktu which became another leading center of Muslim learning.

Internal Conflict Creates a Crisis From 632-661 the Rightly Guided Caliphs ruled, but last one, Ali, was assassinated by one of his rivals, Mu’awiyah, who was also the governor of Syria. Once he had become caliph, Mu’awiyah made it so the caliphate would be passed down to his family if he died. There by making the Umayyad Dynasty. He also moved the capital to Damascus.

Internal Conflict Creates a Crisis Sunni—Shi’a Split Shi’a— “party” of Ali—believe the caliph should be a descendant of Muhammad. Sunni—followers of Muhammad’s example—supported the Umayyads. Sufi followers pursue life of poverty and spirituality. They reject the Umayyads. In 750, a rebel group—the Abbasids— topple the Umayyads.

Control Extends Over Three-Continents Fall of the Umayyads Abbasids murder Umayyad family; one prince escapes, Abd al-Rahman He flees to Spain and establishes the Umayyad caliphate in al-Andalus. al-Andalus is a Muslim state in southern Spain settled by North Africans.

Control Extends Over Three-Continents Abbasids Consolidate Power In 762, Abbasids move Muslim capital from Damascus to Bagdad. Location provides access to trade goods, gold, and information. Abbasids develop a strong bureaucracy to manage empire.

The Seljuk Turks The Abbasid rule the area for the next 500 years But around 1000 AD the Seljuk Turks of Central Asia will begin moving south into the Arab Empire. They were nomads and great warriors. The Abbasid will try to hire them as soldiers but will eventually lose control to them and will only remain on as a religious leader while the Seljuk ruler will be the Sultan “holder of power” for the next 200 years. The empire will fall when the Mongols arrive and burn it to the ground.

Later Muslim Empires The Ottoman Empire In the late 1200s, a group of Turks in the northwest corner of Asia Minor began a new empire. The ruler was named Osman so the empire became known as the Ottoman Turks. They attacked the Byzantine Empire and seized Constantinople in 1453, changed the name of the city to Istanbul. Also conquered Syria, Palestine, Egypt, Mesopotamia, and parts of Arabia and Northern Africa.

Later Muslim Empires The Ottoman leader was called a sultan. The most famous was Suleiman I (the Magnificent). He ruled in the 1500s. Loved architecture and built many schools and mosques. Brilliant general – attacking north into Europe. The Empire collapsed after WWI.

How Were Non-Muslims Treated Under the Ottoman Rule? Non-Muslims had to pay taxes so they could practice their religion. Some Christian families had to send their sons off to Istanbul where they were forced to become Muslim and trained as soldiers for the sultan.

The Mogul Empire 1500s – India Muslim warriors that came from the mountains of India. The Moguls used guns, cannons, elephants and horses to conquer the area. Capital was Delhi. Akbar was the greatest ruler. He brought peace and order. He allowed the Hindu people to continue to worship and work in the government.

Mogul Empire No other Mogul leader uses this idea and so little by little the empire loses its power. They put too many restrictions on the people, who then rebel. Eventually Great Britain will take control of India.